Spring structure



Feb. 23,1932.' w; sA CosTlGAN 1,846,848

SPRING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 2, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l A TTORNE Y.

Feb. 23, 1932. w. s. cosTlGAN SPRING STRUCTURE Firled Feb, 2, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I N VEN TOR.

Wj '05 L' ATTORNEY.

w. s. cos-rlGAN SPRING STRUCTURE Filed'Feb. 2, 192e I N VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

im w ayez,

Feb. 23, 1932.

Patented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES rATaNr ore-ICE WESLEY s. cs'rIeAN, or Jackson MICHIGAN, AssIeNon 'ro REYNOLDS srRINe ooill PANY, or Jackson, MICHIGAN i SPRING s'rnUcrUaE i y Application led February 2, 192.' tSerial. No. 251,370.

This invention relates to spring structures. One object of the invention is to provide a spring embodying rows of springs with flex- -ible strips to separate the adjacent rows of incident to Aabnormal -jars and thereby pre-` springs with the strips connected at their upper and lower edges to the top and bottom coils of the -springs t0 normally hold the springs under a predetermined compression to maintain an effective thickness of the spring structure and -operating to limit the recoil of the springs upon expansion incident to compression of the compressed springs. Another object of the invention is to provide a spring structure for automobile or other seats embodying rows of springs with strips of fabric or othersuitable material arranged to form partitions between the adjacent rows of springs, separating the rows, and connected tothe springs to hold the springs under a given compression and operating to limit the recoils of the springs incident to expansion subsequentto compression of the springs in use and thereby preventing-the rider from being thrown upwardly oil' of the spring seat structure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a resilient soft spring cushion seat for automobiles and the like embodying such characteristics as to provide easy and comfortable riding for the occupant and toV prevent a complete compression of the springs vent the rider from striking the bottom of the structure and by reason of means connecting the tops and bottoms of the springs to limit recoil thereby preventing the rider from being thrown off-the seat against the top of the car in the event of jar due to un-v even roadways. l v. A

It is still further designed to provide a spring structure wherein the springs are arranged in rows between flexible partition strips of suitable material which separate the 5 rows and are connected at their edges to the top and bottom coils of adjacent rows and Basu ED operating to control the height of the springs according to the width of said `strips so as to control the thickness of the structure and the recoil of the springs. j

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompany g drawings, and set forth in the claim hereto appended, it being'understood that various changes in the form, size, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any ofthe advantages thereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an inverted being broken away.

ig.2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the structure. f

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view.

Fig. 4'is a plan .view away. l v

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail'setional view of one lower corner of the spring structure. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the connection of one 'of the interplan view,the fabric mediate partitions with the'upper coils of -75 adjacent-springs:

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, the reference character 10 indicates a base frame of sheet metal provided with a continuous inner groove 11 and a continuous outer groove 12 adapted to receive awood insert to which the lower edge of the usual upholsteryy skirt (not shown) maybe securedy by tackingl- `.Any other suitable type of .base frame may be employed.A Y

Supporting wires 14 transversely disposed and spaced apart have their-ends connected to the base frame 10,-and in 'thebase frame shown, said ends are disposed` in said inner groove in which they may be secured by comwith parts broken pressing or pinching one of the walls of the inner groove at the point of connection of the wires with said groove as shownat 15. A

l maintain the `intersects with the transverse longitudinally disposed` supporting wire 16 wires 14 and the ends thereof may be secured in the said inner groove 11 in the same manner as the ends of the wires 14. Y

A spring supporting reticulated frame 17 is mounted Vwithin the base frame and has the same shape or contour thereof and is maintained vslightly spaced vfrom the inner walls of -the basev frame. This reticulated frame is preferably of metal'and composed of a border wire 18 and wavy or slightly kinked transversewires 19 intersecting and interlaced with similarly formed longitudinal wires 20 both lof which have their ends secured to the border wire, and* as shown these ends are bent around the border wire 1'8 as indicated at 21. The wires 19 and 20 of each set are disposed relatively lclose together to provide an open frame work having relatively small openings 22'. Thus, there is provided a lattice or open frame work` -or spring support-'in which the open work may obvlously be formed of strips of sheet metal instead of wires. l i i A sheet of burlap or other fabric or suitable material 23 is disposed over the top of the reticulated frame 17 and clipped or secured thereto in'any suitable manner. 'I he 'transverse and longitudinal wires 19 and 29 are connected to the aforesaid supporting wires 14 and 16 by means of suitable fastenings 24 whereby to secure the covered reticulated frame to the wires 14 and 16y and reticulated frame within the base 10 and slightly spaced fromthe latter and provide a substantial support for the body springs 25'of the structure.

The-body springs 25 are illustrated as being of double cone knotted type but they ma be unknotted or knotted or cylindrical or arrel orother suitable type. They are arranged in rows relatively close together and have their base coils resting directly upon g the aforesaid burlap or other covering material V23 so.l that by reason-of the interposed soft material 23 between the springs and the reticulated frame the rubbing or contact between the metal springs and metal reticulated frame is prevented by the said soft material 23 which acts as a silencer to prevent noise incident to metallic contact between the springs and said frame. Thus, it

will be understood that the body springs have disposed directly upon the their base coils burlap or other suitable soft material 23.

A strip of burlap or other suitable fabric or material 27 is arranged between rows of springs 25. There is front burlap or other strip 28 and a rear burlap or other strip 29 both of which cooperate with the aforesaid. strips 27 for the purpose of controlling the i 28 and 29 has its opposite longitudinal edges folded over a longitudinal light gauge wire reinforcement 30 which may be retained in the respective fold by stitches, as at 31. Suitable fastening devices 32 connect the upper and lower reinforced edges of the strips 27, 28 and 29 to the top and bottom coils of the springs and to theborder frame 18 of the reticulatedframe and to the upper border wire 33, after the springs have been initially compressed the desired degree, and the strips maintain this initial compression of the springs and thereby govern or control the thickness of the cushion and operate to limit recoil of the springs to prevent an occupant of the seat from being thrown upwardly into the top of the car incident to jars due to uneven roadways as well as preventing undue stress or wear-upon the outer coverin or usual upholstery finishing material. is no friction between the partition strips and the springs which does away with unnecessary wear on the fabric strips due to the rm connection of the strips with the springs.

One edge of the top of the border frame 33 isextended outwardly. For instance, a

wire 35 has its ends bent, as at 36, and con-Vlv beyond a predetermined Tere 38 which extend outwardly to the A,

The braces preferably extend diagonally i from top to bottom of the structure, passing l bent through the Ipartitions`27.y The upper connected end 41'of each brace or stay 4 0 is preferably to the upper frame by means of suitable clips 42. The lower bent end of each brace or stay is preferably connected to the border wire of the reticulated frame.

material`(not shown) on the structure it is Prior to placing the iinishingupholstery preferable toY close the top and ends of the structure with burlap or other suitable material as shown.

What is claimed is:

In a spring structure, a base frame including a marginal element having an inwardly opening longitudinal groove, transversely dlsposed wires spaced apart and having their ends fitted in said groove and pinched therein, a longitudinally disposed supporting wire intersecting said transverse wires and having itsends fitted in the groove ofv the base Lamme frame and pinched therein, e reticulald sprin supporting frame disposedwithin thev base ame and mounted on said longitudinel and transverse wires and supported thereby a. fabric covering disposed on seid reticulated frame, means plereing said fabric coverin and embracing portions of the reticulate frame to secure said covering to the reticulated frame, and s rings mounted on said m' fabric covering an secured to seid reticulated frame. I Inrtestimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WESLEY S. COSTIGAN. 

